Elizabeth McGhee is a native of southern California, from a family of artists active in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) and Scotland, as well as the local Laguna Beach art scene. A figurative oil painter trained in the classical realist tradition, she recently graduated from Laguna College of Art and Design with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drawing and Painting. Elizabeth has also studied with Marc Trujillo, Sergio Sanchez, John Brosio and master painter Lance Richlin.

Artist Statement:

Using symbolic language, I often turn to humor to address serious or controversial subjects. As children we became accustomed to toys as symbols; at a young age we understood that a toy car was not a REAL car, but a representation of a car. But as we matured, and put away our toys, we lost our proficiency in the language of symbols. My intention is not to promote a particular concept or ideal, but to inspire analysis and contemplation in my viewers.

Symbolism is at the very heart of representation, and representational art. Through my paintings I try to challenge deeply rooted assumptions and biases. Just as there are more than two sides to any issue, my compositions can be interpreted in multiple ways. I am currently exploring modern interpretations of ancient myths and folk tales. I hope to familiarize my viewers with archetypical stories that have survived millennia because they are so successful at expressing the human condition.